A major search and rescue operation was launched after a pile of clothes was found abandoned on the shoreline.

Rough waters prompted fears someone had gone into the sea at St Bees and not returned, leading to the search throughout last night.

Whitehaven Coastguard, St Bees RNLI and Cumbria Police carried out a search but nothing "untoward" was found.

Colin Wadey, from St Bees RNLI, said: "You do get one or two unfortunate things happen on the shoreline but it was more precaution, there was nothing to suggest someone had entered the water but it's not something you can ignore.

"When the sea is as rough as it was, anybody walking alongside it should keep their distance and make sure they let someone know where they're going and for how long."

The police were called at 10.15pm yesterday and contacted the coastguard, which asked the lifeboat crew to assist.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "We were called by the lifeboat service to a report of clothing on the beach at St Bees.

"There was concern someone may have gone into the water, and for the welfare of that person.

"We searched last night and this morning and there was nothing to suggest anything untoward."

The clothing was discovered between the lifeboat station and the shoreline.

On Facebook, Whitehaven Coastguard said: "Due to the weather conditions the lifeboat wasn't launched. Members of St Bees RNLI, Cumbria Police and our team members carried out an extensive search of the area but nothing was found.

"All teams stood down early hours of this morning. A great example of multiple agencies working together."